%0 Journal Article
%T End-Member Selection in Two-Component Isotope-Based Hydrograph Separation
%A Samuel Bansah
%A Jonathan Quaye-Ballard
%A Samuel Andam-Akorful
%A Edward Bam
%A Geophrey K. Anornu
%J Open Journal of Modern Hydrology
%P 41-53
%@ 2163-0496
%D 2019
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojmh.2019.92003
%X The
science that underpins our knowledge and understanding of<span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> Isotope-Based Hydrograph separation (IHS) has
gained grounds, over the last few decades, in the identification of streamflow
sources. However, challenges still exist in identifying appropriate tracers and
the right combination of end-members for the IHS process. </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">In a two-component IHS analysis</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">,</span><span style=\"font-family:;\" \"=\"\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> the application of the dual isotopes tracers, ¦Ä</span><sup><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">18</span></sup><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">O and (or) ¦Ä</span><sup><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">2</span></sup><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">H,
is regarded as the simplest method. </span></span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">We
undertook an IHS study within a nested system of eight Prairie watersheds
located in South central Manitoba, Canada. The work evaluated about 17,000
results emanating from the application of a combination of two potential
tracers</span><span style=\"font-family:;\" \"=\"\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> (¦Ä</span><sup><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">18</span></sup><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">O and ¦Ä</span><sup><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">2</span></sup><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">H)
and eight each of potential ¡°old¡± and ¡°new¡± water end-members in a
two-component IHS process. The outcome showed occurrences of many
mathematically possible but hydrologically unacceptable IHS results. The
observation was particularly predominant within relatively larger perennial
sub-catchments of the watershed. It is also shown that inter-site sub-catchment
isotopic end-member transferability is possible within watersheds of similar
physio-hydrographic characteristics. We suggest that a careful evaluation of
the physio-hydrographic characteristics of catchments be considered in IHS
studies in addition to the recommended guidelines in the selection of tracers
and end-members.</span></span>
%K Hydrograph Separation
%K Oxygen-18
%K Deuterium
%K Stable Isotopes
%K End-Member Definitions
%K Canadian Prairies
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=91867